An Introduction to Modern Astrophysics · Problem 12.1
Main-Sequence and Post-Main-Sequence Stellar Evolution — Carroll & Ostlie
Physics — Astrophysics · interstellar-extinction
Problem
In a certain part of the North American Nebula, the amount of interstellar extinction in the visual wavelength band is 1.1 magnitudes. The thickness of the nebula is estimated to be 20 pc, and it is located 700 pc from Earth. Suppose that a B spectral class main-sequence star is observed in the direction of the nebula and that the absolute visual magnitude of the star is known to be MV=−1.1 from spectroscopic data. Neglect any other sources of extinction between the observer and the nebula.
(a) Find the apparent visual magnitude of the star if it is lying just in front of the nebula.
(b) Find the apparent visual magnitude of the star if it is lying just behind the nebula.
(c) Without taking the existence of the nebula into consideration, based on its apparent magnitude, how far away does the star in part (b) appear to be? What would be the percentage error in determining the distance if interstellar extinction were neglected?